Dog ownership: Applying for a permit to keep a dangerous dog

All federal states have passed laws or ordinances to prevent the dangers posed by dangerous dogs. The regulations in the individual federal states differ, so in some federal states dogs of certain breeds and groups are considered dangerous from the outset or are presumed to be dangerous. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, such a presumption no longer applies to dogs of certain breeds since July 2022.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, dogs are considered dangerous if they show a willingness to fight, aggressiveness or sharpness (increased aggressiveness) that goes beyond the natural level, have harmed a person or animal unprovoked by biting or have repeatedly endangered people or have shown through their behaviour that they chase or tear game or other animals in an uncontrolled manner.

A licence is required to keep and lead a dangerous dog, as well as to use a dangerous dog for breeding.

• § Section 2a (1) of the Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG)
• Act on the Restriction of the Movement or Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany (Dog Movement and Import Restriction Act - HundVerbrEinfG)
• Ordinance on exceptions to the ban on the movement and import of dangerous dogs into Germany (Dog Movement and Import Ordinance - HundVerbrEinfVO)
• §§ Sections 4, 17 of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Security and Public Order Act (SOG M-V)
• § 5 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Dog Owners' Ordinance (HundehVO M-V)

The application documents required for the licence are provided by the responsible local regulatory authority (Ordnungsamt). You can also obtain documents for the examination of expertise from the responsible district regulatory authority (district regulatory office).

A certificate of competence and proof of the dog's permanent identification (if available) must be submitted, as well as a certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority in accordance with Section 30 (5) of the Federal Central Criminal Register Act and proof that the dog is housed in a behaviourally appropriate and escape-proof manner.

Certificate of competence for dog owners

The certificate of competence for dog owners is issued when the dog owner takes the competence test in accordance with Section 6 of the Dog Owners Ordinance.

The examination of expertise must generally be taken before an examination board of a district regulatory authority; alternatively, proof of equivalent training from another (governmental or non-governmental) body can be provided.

As part of this authorisation procedure, the required expertise, suitability and reliability of the owner as well as the dog's behavioural and escape-proof accommodation must be proven.

The dog owner must have reached the age of 18.

If a dog has been recognised as dangerous by the owner or has been determined to be dangerous by the regulatory authority, an application must be made for permission to keep and lead the dangerous dog and, if applicable, to use the dangerous dog for breeding.

The required evidence, in particular the certificate of competence, must then be submitted to the regulatory authority within three months; the deadline can be extended once by a maximum of three further months.

The competent regulatory authority confirms the application. This confirmation serves as legitimisation for the dog owner until the final decision on the application is made.

The application documents required for the licence are provided by the responsible local regulatory authority. You can also obtain documents for the examination of expertise from the responsible district regulatory authority.

The presumption that a listed or fighting dog is dangerous can be rebutted with a character test. If there is any doubt about the classification of mixed breeds, the competent regulatory authority can obtain a canine expert opinion.

There are special prohibitions and requirements for dealing with dangerous dogs, e.g. not taking them to playgrounds, bathing areas that are not designated for dogs, sunbathing areas for people, compulsory use of a lead and muzzle.

Please note that the municipalities can also issue bylaws for the handling of dogs, e.g. regarding the obligation to keep dogs on a lead. These can also apply to dogs that are not dangerous within the meaning of the Dog Owners Ordinance.

Even the first uncontrolled bite from a dog can lead to serious injury or death. All dogs must always be kept under supervision outside pacified property. Dog handlers must be physically and mentally capable of handling a dog safely.

• Ordinance on the leading and keeping of dogs (HundehVO M-V)

An objection can be lodged against decisions made by the responsible local regulatory authority (regulatory office) or the responsible district regulatory authority (district regulatory office) (Sections 68 ff. of the Administrative Court Code - VwGO). If the objection is not upheld, an action can be brought before the competent administrative court.

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In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the competent authorities are

• Local regulatory authority (public order office) of the municipality or independent city for the permit
• District regulatory authority (district regulatory office) of the district for the certificate of competence

Veterinary office